15 days in Northern Cape Itinerary

As the heart of the Northern Cape's "Diamond Fields"--the region where the glittering jewels were discovered in the 1870s--Kimberley has evolved from a simple mining encampment to a thriving city rich in history and heritage.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Magersfontein Battlefield and Felidae Centre. There's still lots to do: explore the galleries of William Humphreys Art Gallery, see the interesting displays at Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre, stroll through Rooipoort Nature Reserve, and take an in-depth tour of The Big Hole.

For ratings, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, use the Kimberley trip planning app.

Johannesburg to Kimberley is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Johannesburg in September, plan for slightly colder nights in Kimberley, with lows around 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Tue) early enough to travel to Tankwa Karoo National Park.

Here are some ideas for day two: explore the striking landscape of Tankwa Karoo National Park.

To see reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Tankwa Karoo National Park holiday builder tool.

Drive from Kimberley to Tankwa Karoo National Park in 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and car. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Kimberley in October; daily highs in Tankwa Karoo National Park reach 31°C and lows reach 9°C. On the 5th (Thu), you'll travel to Calvinia.

Calvinia is a regional town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa named after the French religious reformer Jean Calvin. Explore hidden gems such as Calvinia Museum and Glacial Pavement. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Calvinia: Nieuwoudtville (Hantam National Botanical Garden, Protea Motors, &more).

To see more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Calvinia trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Tankwa Karoo National Park to Calvinia takes 2 hours. In October, daytime highs in Calvinia are 31°C, while nighttime lows are 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 8th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Springbok.

Springbok is the largest town in the Namaqualand area in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Namaqua National Park and Bushwhacked Outdoor adventures. The adventure continues: tour the pleasant surroundings at Goegap Nature Reserve.

For other places to visit, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, read our Springbok trip itinerary planner.

Drive from Calvinia to Springbok in 4 hours. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Calvinia in October since evenings lows in Springbok dip to 14°C. You will leave for Upington on the 12th (Thu).

Upington is a town founded in 1884 and located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, on the banks of the Orange River. On the 14th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: learn about winemaking at Orange River Cellars, cozy up to a beverage at Bezalel Wine & Brandy Estate, and then stroll through Tierberg Nature Reserve.

To see photos, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Upington day trip planning site.

You can drive from Springbok to Upington in 4 hours. While traveling from Springbok, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Upington, ranging from highs of 38°C to lows of 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.